What is OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis?
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM), also called TB meningitis, is a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (called the meninges) caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis — the same germ that causes tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs. It is considered the most dangerous form of TB because it directly affects the brain and nervous system. The infection causes swelling and inflammation around the brain, which can damage brain tissue and block the normal flow of fluid around the brain. Symptoms usually develop slowly over days to weeks and include severe headache, fever, stiff neck, confusion, sensitivity to light, nausea, and vomiting. As the disease progresses, it can cause seizures, weakness on one side of the body, vision problems, and loss of consciousness. Children may show more subtle early signs like irritability, poor feeding, or bulging of the soft spot on the head. Note: This condition is listed as 'obsolete' in the Orphanet rare disease registry, meaning it has been reclassified or merged with a broader category. However, tuberculous meningitis remains a real and serious medical condition worldwide. Treatment involves a long course of antibiotics (anti-TB drugs) combined with corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to improving survival and reducing long-term disability.
Key symptoms:
Severe, persistent headacheHigh feverStiff neck (difficulty moving the neck forward)Confusion or difficulty thinking clearlySensitivity to bright lightNausea and vomitingSeizuresWeakness or paralysis on one side of the bodyVision problems or double visionDrowsiness or difficulty staying awakeLoss of consciousnessIrritability (especially in children)Bulging fontanelle (soft spot) in infants
- Inheritance
- Sporadic
- Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
- Age of Onset
- Variable
- Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
4 eventsIndian Council of Medical Research — PHASE3
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) — PHASE2
ANRS, Emerging Infectious Diseases — PHASE2
Data is compiled from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov, then processed through automated extraction; event classifications and dates may occasionally be misclassified. Verify against the linked FDA filing or trial record before clinical decisions. Updated periodically.
Treatments
Source: openFDA + DailyMed · NDA / BLA labels with structured indications · refreshed weekly
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis.
2 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced daily · phases, status, and PI names normalized at ingest
Specialists
View all specialists →Source: NPI Registry + PubMed · trial PI roles cross-referenced with ClinicalTrials.gov · ranked by match score (publications + PI activity + community signal)
No specialists are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis.
Treatment Centers
8 centersSource: NORD Rare Disease Centers + NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) · centers verified active within last 12 months
Children's Hospital Colorado Rare Disease Program ↗
Children's Hospital Colorado
📍 Aurora, CO
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDBoston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program ↗
Boston Children's Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🏨 Children'sAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital Genetics ↗
Lurie Children's Hospital
📍 Chicago, IL
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏥 NORDCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center ↗
Cincinnati Children's
📍 Cincinnati, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🏨 Children'sNationwide Children's Hospital Rare Disease Center ↗
Nationwide Children's Hospital
📍 Columbus, OH
👤 Boston Children's Hospital Rare Disease Program
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis.
Start the conversation →Latest news about OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis
Source: PubMed + NIH RePORTER + openFDA + clinical-journal RSS · last 30 days · disease-tagged at ingest by AI extraction with human QC
No recent news articles for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis.
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How long will treatment last, and what happens if a dose is missed?,What side effects should I watch for from the TB medications?,Will I need brain imaging or spinal taps during treatment to check progress?,What long-term complications should I watch for, and how will they be managed?,Should my family members or close contacts be tested for tuberculosis?,Is there any risk of drug-resistant TB, and how would that change treatment?,What rehabilitation services are available to help with recovery?
Common questions about OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis
What is OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis?
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM), also called TB meningitis, is a serious infection of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord (called the meninges) caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis — the same germ that causes tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs. It is considered the most dangerous form of TB because it directly affects the brain and nervous system. The infection causes swelling and inflammation around the brain, which can damage brain tissue and block the normal flow of fluid around the brain. Symptoms usually develop slowly over days to weeks and include severe headache
How is OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis inherited?
OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis?
Yes — 2 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Frequently asked questions about OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis
Auto-generated from canonical disease facts (Orphanet, OMIM, ClinicalTrials.gov, openFDA, NPPES). Not a substitute for clinical guidance.
What is OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis?
OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis is a rare disease catalogued in international rare-disease ontologies (Orphanet ORPHA:499004). It is typically inherited as sporadic. Age of onset is generally variable. For verified primary sources, see the UniteRare OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis page.
How is OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis inherited?
OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis follows sporadic inheritance. Genetic counseling is recommended for affected families to understand recurrence risk in offspring and the likelihood of unaffected siblings being carriers. Variants in the underlying gene(s) may be identified via clinical genetic testing.
Are there FDA-approved treatments for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis?
Approved treatments for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis are tracked from openFDA and DailyMed primary sources. Many rare diseases have no specific FDA-approved therapy; for those, supportive care and management of complications form the basis of clinical care. Orphan-drug-designation status is noted where applicable.
Are there clinical trials recruiting for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis?
UniteRare currently lists 2 clinical trials relevant to OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each trial entry includes recruitment status, eligibility criteria summary, principal-investigator information, and study locations. Patients should discuss eligibility with their healthcare provider before enrolling.
How do I find a specialist for OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis?
Verified OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis specialists are identified through ClinicalTrials.gov principal-investigator records, peer-reviewed publication authorship (via PubMed), and the NPPES NPI registry. NORD-designated Centers of Excellence and NIH-affiliated rare-disease clinics are also tracked. UniteRare's specialist directory is updated continuously as new evidence becomes available.
See full OBSOLETE: Tuberculous meningitis page for complete clinical details, sources, and verified-specialist listings.
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